Art Appraisal Services

Art Advisory Panel

The Panel helps IRS review and evaluate property appraisals submitted by taxpayers in support of the fair market value claimed for works of art included in federal income, estate and gift tax cases in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. The Panel members, up to 25 renowned art experts, serve without compensation.

Referral to the Art Advisory Panel

All taxpayer cases selected for examination that include an item of art with a claimed value of $50,000 or more must be referred to Art Appraisal Services for possible review by the Commissioner's Art Advisory Panel (See IRM 4.48.2 and IRM 8.18.1.3). Please review the photographic requirements for referrals, and also our preferred individual appraisal item format (PDF) for works of art valued at over $50,000.

For general inquiries, contact Director, Art Appraisal Services at 212-298-2132.

The Annual Summary Report describes the closed meeting activity of the Commissioner's Art Advisory Panel for the most recent year. The report discusses the procedures of the Art Panel, provides a list of Panelists and summarizes the art items reviewed during this year by the Panel broken down by estate and charitable contribution. If you would like older Annual Summary Reports, please contact the IRS Freedom of Information Reading Room at 1111 Constitution Ave, Washington D.C. 20224.

Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property. Designed to help donors and appraisers determine the value of property that is given to qualified organizations. It includes the kind of information you must have to support your decision.

Forms

Form 8283, Non-cash Charitable Contributions. The necessary form filed with the taxpayer's return.

Form 8282, Donee Information Return. Form filed by donee upon sale of property.

Revenue ProceduresRevenue Procedure 96-15 provides procedures for taxpayers to request a review of art valuations for income, estate, and gift returns. Taxpayers may obtain a Statement of Value from the Service for an advance review of art valuation claims prior to filing the return. The Statement of Value may then be used to complete the taxpayer's return.

The procedure generally applies to an item of art that has been appraised at $50,000 or more. The appraisal submitted must meet specific substantiation requirements. A user fee is charged for each request. The current fees for a Statement of Value are $5,400 for one to three items and $270 for each additional item. See Revenue Procedure 2013-01.

Send requests for a Statement of Value to the addresses listed below.

If a private delivery service is not used, requests for letter rulings should be sent to the
following address:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: CC:PA:LPD:DRU
P.O. Box 7604
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044